It’s the 2019 Red Carpet Menu for Oscar®!
For Green Book – it’s Green Bake!
We’re up to the second side dish! And we’re up to the movie that informed this whole menu. While watching Green Book, I knew it would be a Best Picture contender. I knew the menu would be southern cuisine. And I knew it would be called “Green Bake”. I couldn’t love this movie more.
This is one of 5 Best Picture nominated films that is based on a true story. Tony Lip drove Dr. Shirley, an acclaimed concert pianist, through the South in 1962. I’m ashamed to say, I had no idea about the actual existence of the “Green Book”, a book of hotels, eateries, etc. that were available to African-Americans. Segregation was such a terrible way of this nation that robbed people of their dignity just because of the color of their skin. Tony Lip was an Italian-American living in the Bronx and seemingly not too racially tolerant. Coming from the Bronx, I can attest to that attitude.
The performances were stellar. Viggo had the Bronx accent and cadence down pat. So few actors get it right. Mahershala Ali was his usual excellent self in this stunning performance. And yes, I saw the wonderful scene about fried chicken. And I would have loved to use it in the menu BUT it wasn’t green… I didn’t know what I would have called it. “Something” bake? Hopeless.
The clear choice was to make a casserole using a green veggie. Southern greens in my mind are collards. I wanted it to be a bit decadent so of course bacon and cheese is involved! Although there are a couple of steps to this recipe, it’s really easy. And the taste… oh man! It’s so good! The cheesy top oozing into the slices of potato and the bacon-kissed collards… yes please! You’ll love it!
Happy Oscars!
Annette
